San Francisco Frontiers - Vonn happy with 'solid' return to downhill racing

Vonn, one of the greatest World Cup skiers of all time, left the sport in 2019 after a series of major injuries.

But she has been free of pain since a right knee replacement in April.

The 82-time World Cup race winner, took part in the 'FIS Fall Festival', a second tier event, at Copper Mountain in Colorado and went down twice in Saturday's downhill sessions.

The American finished 24th in a field of 43, 1.44sec behind Austrian winner Mirjam Puchner in her first race.

In her second race she finished 27th, with a time of in 1:07.52, 1.53 seconds behind winner Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who is the defending World Cup downhill champion.

Vonn has said she is using this week's event, which features several other races, as a "training opportunity" as she looks to re-enter the World Cup circuit.

"Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!," Vonn wrote on X, formerly twitter.

"While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove," she added,

"This is only the beginning and the way I’m skiing is more important than the times at this point. Now I have the FIS points to race World Cup so that’s a successful day! Thanks to everyone who helped put on the races! Let’s do it again tomorrow," she said.

There are two Super-G races on the program for Sunday at Copper Mountain.

It was a low key event but there was a small crowd gathered to watch her return and a smattering of applause for her at the finish area.

FIS, the international ski federation, said Vonn had requested a "wild card" entry to compete in two super-G races at St. Moritz on December 21 and 22, taking advantage of a new invitation system that allows former stars to return to the elite circuit after years away from competition and to have better starting positions.

Vonn was the most decorated women's skier with 82 World Cup victories when she retired. Her mark has since been eclipsed by fellow American Mikaela Shiffrin's 99.

She recorded her first World Cup victory in 2004 and won three Olympic medals -- including downhill gold in 2010 in Vancouver.

Vonn also won 20 World Cup titles, including four overall crystal globes, eight world championship medals and secured 137 World Cup podiums.

The next Winter Olympics take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2026.

W.Carter--SFF